On the afternoon of February 7, 2017, accompanied by Mr. Yang Hua, General Manger of CSGI; Mr. Sun Peng, General Manager of Nam Tha 1 Lao Power Company; Mr Xie Zhengdu, Chief Engineer of Nam Tha 1 Hydropower Project, Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY, Member of the Political Bureau of Central Committee of Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Mr. Khamphanh PHEUYAVONG, Governor of Bokeo Province, visited the construction site and Bokeo resettlement site of Nam Tha 1 Hydropower Project.

At 2:20 pm, Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY and his entourage first visited the Hardmoauk resettlement site in Bokeo province, which is the largest resettlement site of the Nam Tha 1 # hydropower project. It was relocated in 2016, with a total of 566 households, 3,000 people, and is currently undergoing livelihood restoration works. The government of Bokeo Province organized a meeting at the village office, and the Governor Mr. Khamphanh PHEUYAVONG reported to Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY on the overall situation of Hardmoauk resettlement site.

Governor of Bokeo Province Mr. Khamphanh PHEUYAVONG reported to Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY on the overall situation of resettlement works

The meeting at the village office of Hardmoauk resettlement site

After listening to the report, Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY said that the current resettlement work has been carried out well, and the people should believe in the Government, actively cooperate with the resettlement contractors to carry out follow-up livelihood restoration works. Moving from the original region where road access, electricity and public facilities are lacked to the new resettlement site, the living condition of people has been improved greatly, and the people must carry forward a sense of being master, strive to develop production for more wealth.

After the meeting, Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY expressed his greetings to the villagers, and donated public fund and a batch of living and sporting goods.

Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY donated public fund and a batch of living and sporting goods to Hardmoauk village

At 4:00 pm, Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY and his entourage arrived at the construction site of Nam Tha 1 # hydropower project, and inspected the main powerhouse and dam area accompanied by Mr. Sun Peng, the General Manager of Nam Tha 1 Lao Power Company. Mr. Sun Peng gave a brief introduction on the powerhouse and dam buildings, and answered the questions about ecological flow after water impoundment which concerns Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY the most. According to Mr. Sun Peng, the reservoir begins to store water during the rainy season, and downstream will have enough water for ecological supply. He reassured Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY, saying that the project company has already sent letters and reports to relevant government departments on this matter.

Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY inspected the dam area

Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY inspected the dam area

At the temporary resting place in the dam area, Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY listened to the project construction report by Mr. Yang Hua, the General Manager of CSGI. Mr. Yang Hua focused on reporting the construction progress of the main dam, construction plan for the next stage, and the construction progress of the new transmission line as well as the development of resettlement works, and answered questions about power generation preparation, employment and training of Lao staff for involvement in project operation and maintenance and other issues that concerns Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY. According to Mr. Yang Hua, the project company is currently vigorously promoting construction and actively carrying out preparation works for power generation, striving to achieve the goal of water impoundment and power generation in 2017. Currently, the project company mainly relies on the staff and technical support of China Southern Power Grid Company for power generation preparation works, however, when the project enters into mature operation, the Project Company will hire Lao staff and train them to participate in the operation and maintenance process, by then the number of Lao employees will exceed 40, and become the main force for project operation.

Nam Tha 1 # Hydropower project is not only one of the largest hydropower projects in Bokeo province, but also a key project that embodies the friendship between Laos and China. It is very important for meeting the provincial power demand and promoting the local economic development. Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY is very satisfied with the current construction progress of the project, and expressed his wish for CSGI and the Project Company to continue the follow-up construction works to ensure the realization of the goal of power generation at the end of 2017; and continue to do a good job on resettlement works as well as the livelihood restoration works in Bokeo Province and Luang Namtha Province; Ministry of Energy and Mines and all levels of Bokeo Government should continue cooperation and support for the project.

Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY listened to the project construction report by Mr. Yang Hua, the General Manager of CSGI

Mr. Yang Hua, the General Manager of CSGI assured Mr. Bounthong CHITMANY that CSGI and the project company would live up to expectations, and complete the project construction and resettlement works; we are very grateful to the central ministries and commissions, government leaders at all levels for concern and support for Nam Tha 1 Power Project, and sincerely hope that the development and construction of Nam Tha 1 Power Project can be an opportunity to further expand and deepen the cooperation between CSGI and Laos on other power projects. We will actively play our own experience and advantages in investment and financing, construction, operation and management of power project to promote the development of Lao power industry, and make greater contributions to the economic development of Laos.